Ted O'Brien

The Monroe County Legislature's minority leader, Democrat Ted O'Brien, has shown he is nothing if not persistent. Battling a majority-take-all structure, he fights for ethical government, smarter spending and representation for the poor. His energies and priorities would well-serve the region in Albany; he is the Democrat and Chronicle's choice to fill the 55th District state Senate seat.

O'Brien's intelligence and compassion are evident: At the county level, improving policies surrounding burial of indigents; at the state level, supporting a minimum wage hike and the Fair Pay Act ensuring equal pay for women.

His opponent, Republican Assemblyman Sean Hanna, declined an interview invitation, which left the Editorial Board no opportunity to question him about his priorities and other concerns. Hanna's failure to speak out forcefully against a vicious out-of-state smear campaign against his opponent also has been disappointing.

O'Brien, an Irondequoit Democrat, has also targeted specific initiatives for job creation, including the Finger Lakes Enterprise Fund to provide loans to small businesses.

O'Brien has a reputation as a gentleman legislator and, if anything, he can be too gentlemanly. It wouldn't hurt him to throw a figurative elbow now and then. Otherwise, he has the heart and smarts to be effective in the state Senate.